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Scout (Picture from Last Christmas)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/strivingauthor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG_5227-1024x768.jpg\")
Our little Christmas Tree<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n We did end up getting snow two days later, which was really exciting. I, personally, LOVE snow! For me, it covers up the deadness of winter. Think of it, without the snow, Winter is kind of dreary and blah. With the snow, it looks pretty and nice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I received a lot of nice gifts that I’m very grateful for! Also, my family enjoyed playing a game that I created. It’s called “The Grabins Music Game.” Basically, it’s like “guess the tune.” I’ll show a little slide to help the player and then play a part of an instrumental version of the song. Then they have to guess what the song is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally, I made it for school last year during my virtual schooling. Now, it’s turned into a fun (meaning SUPER competitive) family game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHappy New Year!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other than a family dinner and some fun games, it was very uneventful. So, I’m going to share some New Years’ resolutions I’ve made!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Continue to Do Well in School! Finish Senior Year Strong! (Thanks to a whole lot of studying – only 1 B this semester! Yay!)<\/strong><\/li>
- Work Hard to Finish the SEQUEL (yes, sequel) to Defy!<\/strong><\/li>
- Keep Writing (But finish my next book first!)<\/strong><\/li>
- Work Hard to GROW Striving Author (Tell Your Friends All About This!)<\/strong><\/li>
- FINALLY Set Up A Signing Par-tay! (It might not be for a bit, but IT WILL HAPPEN!)<\/strong><\/li>
- Interact more with my readers! (I love hearing from y’all! Keep contacting me!)<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Those are what I can think of for now. In one of my classes this year, I learned that actually writing down my goals will help me to achieve them. By writing them down, they become real and physical things – not just random ideas floating around in my head. Let’s hope I get all of these done by 2023!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSNEAK PEAK!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Okay… a lot of people have been asking me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“L.A., what happens at the end of the book?” Can’t tell you \ud83d\ude42 (Yes, Aunt Ann, I am a little bugger)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“L.A., is there going to be more?” Definitely<\/strong> – Tengo un plan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“L.A., what’s going to happen next?” Wait and See.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to keep my audience’s attention, I have decided to give you a little New Year’s treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next book in the Defy Series is called RESIST<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did I just look up a synonym for Defy? Possibly<\/strong>… but does it work with my plan? DEFINITELY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does it still follow Annabelle? Not exactly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, wake up! Don’t click away just yet! Take a look at a sneak peek of Chapter 1<\/strong> of my sequel – RESIST<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapter 1: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Home is where the heart is, right? You\u2019ll fight for it when it\u2019s in danger and you\u2019ll defend it at all costs, right? No matter who\u2019s threatening it. No matter the cost. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One person who embraced this mentality was a certain French farm-owner. He had lived in France his entire life, never even thinking about leaving. How could he? In his own words, “there was no<\/em> place better than France.” Nationalism found its poster boy in him; in fact, it found its origin in this farmer. No matter how bad it got, he stuck it out. Never changed sides. Never once wanted to leave – not even with the threat of a war coming, again<\/em>. He couldn\u2019t compromise his values. He couldn\u2019t change who he was, even if it was just a mask. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Annabelle Dietmar, one of his oldest friends, was slightly different in her regard towards that notion. When the opportunity arose for her to lead a double life, she took it believing it to be the best choice for her. It was her way of fighting – not with fists but with words. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou could work for the French instead, that way you don\u2019t have to work for the Nazis. You don\u2019t have to compromise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, I have to. If I work for the French, I\u2019ll be out of a job in a month,\u201d she turned back to the sink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d Dimitri became defensive at her comment. His nationalist pride began to burn inside of him, insulted by her direct hit at France\u2019s ability to fight off the coming invasion. Currently, France was building up its reserves and fortifying the Maginot line<\/em>, while the Nazis were pushing through Norway, inching closer to France every day that passed. War was coming closer and closer, and truthfully, it seemed like no one would be able to stop the Germans. Still, France was gearing up to defend their country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI mean what I said, Dimitri. You don\u2019t expect France to still be standing independently in a month, do you?\u201d She paid no mind to his tone, returning to washing the dishes, which only infuriated Dimitri more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have faith in our people?\u201d He came up beside her, turning off the faucet, stopping her from washing any more dishes. Annabelle was exasperated with him at this point, annoyed at how personal Dimitri was taking this. Why couldn\u2019t he just understand her reasoning? On the flip side of things, Dimitri was asking the same of her. What would it take for Annabelle to desert this notion of becoming a traitor? He eyed an empty wine glass on the counter, swiftly grasping it in his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDimitri-\u201d\u00a0 CRASH! <\/em>The wine glass was no longer intact. Its remains were spread on the ground before the wall at the end of the dining room. Dimitri had thrown it across the room in fury, shocking Annabelle, causing her to cry out, \u201cDimitri!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she was about to say more, Dimitri grabbed her arms, forcing her to face him directly, and shook her violently, demanding, \u201cAnswer me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n - Work Hard to Finish the SEQUEL (yes, sequel) to Defy!<\/strong><\/li>
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